MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[EC Knight]

Speaking of the Cubbies lately, I just got home in time to watch the Cubs-Mets game this afternoon/evening on ESPN. What appeared to be an impressive game for the Cubs up to this point took a drastic turn for the worse. The Mets just belted out 11 runs, including 2 grand slams this inning (I think - I only saw one because I was in and out of the room, but I saw it on a recap of the inning). I don' think I've seen anything like that, except maybe with Sac's Homers (forgive me if I'm not remembering the name of the team properly). In any case, the Mets are truly a fearsome team this year.... Sorry Cubs fans, I wish the best of luck to Chicago the rest of the way.

[hopefan]

While it is easy to predict sold out crowds if a Men's final Four was held in Western Michigan  -  I think those predictions are tainted with the hopes of a Western Michigan Team making it to the final four.

Question - How many years did Calvin host the final four back in the 70's - 80's?
I know Hope never played in a Final Four at Calvin  - not sure about Calvin-  What was attendance like when the final four was at Calvin  -  Remembering back, I don't think it was sell out - can even remember going on a recruiting trip with glen VW to see the youngest Majerlie play rather than seeing the semis at Calvin after Hope had been eliminated in an earlier round  -  believe me, many will want to be any where BUT the final four if Hope or Calvin mounts a final four driive that falls short.    it hurts too bad....

[Pat Coleman]

In 1983, with Scranton, Wittenberg, UW-Whitewater and Roanoke, title game attendance was listed as 3,700.
In 1984, with DePauw, Upsala, Whitewater and Clark, it was 3,200.
In 1985, with North Park, Potsdam State, Nebraska Wesleyan and Widener, it was 2,816.
In 1987, with North Park, Clark, Wittenberg and Stockton State, it was 2,100.

For other years, attendance wasn't listed. The Final Four left Grand Rapids after the 1988 season.

I don't have all the Salem figures handy either, but I am fairly certain the lowest title game there outdrew the 1985 game pretty handily, let alone 1987.

[Gregory Sager]

Van Andel would be a cool spot but it is probablly very expensive.  The city of Grand Rapids would offer more entertainment to the visiting fans than Salem would.

Speaking as someone who went to Grand Rapids for a couple of Final Fours, I can assure you that any entertainment to be found in that town during those weekends was of our own making. 

In 1983, with Scranton, Wittenberg, UW-Whitewater and Roanoke, title game attendance was listed as 3,700.
In 1984, with DePauw, Upsala, Whitewater and Clark, it was 3,200.
In 1985, with North Park, Potsdam State, Nebraska Wesleyan and Widener, it was 2,816.
In 1987, with North Park, Clark, Wittenberg and Stockton State, it was 2,100.

For other years, attendance wasn't listed. The Final Four left Grand Rapids after the 1988 season.

I don't have all the Salem figures handy either, but I am fairly certain the lowest title game there outdrew the 1985 game pretty handily, let alone 1987.

Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw in terms of schools being on spring break. In 1987 two of the four schools, Wittenberg and Clark, were on spring break during the Final Four. I'm sure that Wittenberg would've otherwise brought a much larger contingent, given that the Tigers have always drawn decently and their campus is within reasonable driving distance of Grand Rapids. Stockton didn't bring anybody (no surprise, since the Ospreys can't seem to draw 400 fans for a home game unless it's against archrival Rowan), so well over half of the attendees were there to root for the smallest school in the Final Four, North Park.

There aren't any attendance figures listed for the years in which the Final Four was held in Springfield, OH, which is where it went after it left Grand Rapids. I wonder what the draw was like during those years.

I'm willing to bet that if the Final Four returned to the midwest, the attendance would be substantially higher than it was during the mid-eighties.

[realist]

In 92 it was possible to walk up and buy tickets both nights.  Calvin had by far the greatest number of fans with UW-Plat second,  Jersey City had several busloads of fans who made alot of noise until the game w/C actually started.  I don't recall any problem getting tickets in 90 either, and Wittenberg's fieldhouse probably seats about the same amount as De Vos.  If memory serves correct the final 4 was in Buffalo in 93, and maybe several other years.

[KnightSlappy]

Van Andel would be a cool spot but it is probablly very expensive.  The city of Grand Rapids would offer more entertainment to the visiting fans than Salem would.

Speaking as someone who went to Grand Rapids for a couple of Final Fours, I can assure you that any entertainment to be found in that town during those weekends was of our own making. 

Well, the Salem area is a nice place... they have a Fudruckers..... and a Holliday Inn..... and a McDonalds.

[Pat Coleman]

Sounds like you really missed out. There's a ton of places in downtown Roanoke and everyone raves about Mac and Bob's in Salem, about a mile and a half from the Civic Center.

If you only traveled one road in Salem then you shouldn't be complaining about the area.

[Warren Thompson]

Sounds like you really missed out. There's a ton of places in downtown Roanoke and everyone raves about Mac and Bob's in Salem, about a mile and a half from the Civic Center.

If you only traveled one road in Salem then you shouldn't be complaining about the area.

Agreed. And, as Roanoke-dweller Jim Loesel can testify,  the area is not exactly a mere dip-in-the-road neighborhood. Plenty of very good restaurants (one of the best breakfast buffets I've sampled was at the historic Hotel Roanoke).

[diehardfan]

I love the Hotel Roanoke... I didn't love the completely non-functional bathroom... no where to put any toiletries... at all, lol... ("uhm... so I put my toothbrush where?") but I love the quirky atmosphere, fresco ceilings in the entrance, uniquely shaped rooms (mine had slanted ceilings!), and the views of historic downtown Roanoke. It's a truly beautiful building... I'm glad they restored it. Someday if I feel like I have thirty+ dollars to blow on a meal, maybe I'll eat there too. 

Mac and Bob's is a great, and it's inexpensive... it's got the perfect "near a college restarurant" feel. I don't think I've ever had anything there that I didn't like. And I'd echo Pat's statement about there being tons of great restaurants in downtown Salem too.

Sometimes I wish the guys had a shiny sparking arena to play in, I think they "deserve it." But older buildings, like the Salem Civic Center definitely have their charms, much the way that the Holland Civic Center is charming... only much bigger and minus the bomb shelters (which was the best part about the Holland Civic Center, hands down)!

[ScotsFan]

I don't recall any problem getting tickets in 90 either, and Wittenberg's fieldhouse probably seats about the same amount as De Vos. 

Witt's HPER Center isn't quite the capacity as DeVos.  It's listed capacity is 3,000 compared to the 3,400 of DeVos.  Wooster's Timken Gym also has a 3,400 seat capacity. 

As for the nighlives of the different host  cities, I can't speak for the Salem area as I have yet to make a trek there, but Springfield has to be far worse than the GR area.  Unless you don't mind the 30 minute trek east to C'bus. 

[Shareef23]

Roenoke is actually pretty cool place. I enjoy my stay down their. There was plenty of bars and the like to go too. I though Cornbeef and Co. was one of the coolest bars I have ever been too!

[Bob MacKenzie]

It appears you're posting from a bar...

[northb]

[
Speaking as someone who went to Grand Rapids for a couple of Final Fours, I can assure you that any entertainment to be found in that town during those weekends was of our own making. 

GR has had a rejuvenated downtown area, so you could find alot more fun...

[KnightSlappy]

The word on the NCAC board is that UW LaCrosse will be at the Wooster Tournament.  Does anyone know who the fourth team will be? ( I assume it is a four team tourney)

[ziggy]

Confirmed on the UW-LaCrosse participation in the Wooster Tourney
http://www.uwlax.edu/athletics/mbasketball/schedule/